gold star for USAHOF

6. Tony Oliva

6. Tony Oliva
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: July 20, 1938 in Pinar del Rio, Pi Cuba
  • Weight: 175 lbs.
  • Height: 6'1"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: September 09, 1962
  • Final Game: September 29, 1976
  • Rookie of the Year - 1964
  • TSN All-Star - 1964
  • TSN All-Star - 1965
  • TSN Player of the Year - 1965
  • Gold Glove - 1966
  • TSN All-Star - 1966
  • TSN All-Star - 1970
  • TSN All-Star - 1971
  • TSN Player of the Year - 1971
  • MVP - 1964
  • MVP - 1965
  • MVP - 1966
  • MVP - 1967
  • MVP - 1968
  • MVP - 1969
  • MVP - 1970
  • MVP - 1971
  • Rookie of the Year - 1964
 
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Tony Oliva was one of the most popular players in Minnesota Twins history and from 1964 to 1971 was named an American League All-Star, a period in which he was considered amongst the best hitters in Major League Baseball.

In that timeframe, Oliva would win the Rookie of the Year, was the runner up for the MVP twice and received votes for that prestigious award in every aforementioned campaign.  He would win three Batting Titles, led the AL in Hits five times, and had decent power, smacking 220 Home Runs over his career, one which was spent entirely with the Twins. 

Oliva was constantly mentioned by fans as one of the biggest snubs in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but this was rectified in 2022 when he was chosen by the Veteran's Committee.  The Twins retired his number 6 in 1991, and nine years later, he was elected to the Twins Hall of Fame in their first class.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Designated Hitter, Outfield
  • Acquired: Signed as an Amateur Free Agent before the 1961 Season.
  • Departed: Retired as a Player after the 1976 Season
  • Games Played: 1676
  • Notable Statistics: 870 Runs Scored
    1,917 Hits
    329 Doubles
    48 Triples
    220 Home Runs
    947 Runs Batted In
    86 Stolen Bases
    .304/.353/.476 Slash Line
    43.1 bWAR

    13 Playoff Games
    7 Runs Scored
    16 Hits
    5 Doubles
    0 Triples
    3 Home Runs
    5 Runs Batted In
    1 Stolen Base
    .314/.340/.588 Slash Line
  • Major Accolades and Awards: All-Star (1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 & 1971)
    Gold Glove (1966)
    Rookie of the Year (1964)
    Highest Batting Average (1964, 1965 & 1971)
    Highest Slugging Percentage (1971)
    Most Hits (1964, 1965, 1966, 1969 & 1970)
    Most Total Bases (1964)
    Most Doubles (1964, 1967, 1969 & 1970)
    Most Extra Base Hits (1964)
    Most Sacrifice Flies (1965)
    Most Times Hit By Pitch (1975)
    Most Intentional Walks (1968)
    Most Putouts by a Rightfielder (1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969 & 1970)
    Most Assists by a Rightfielder (1969 & 1970)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Rightfielder (1966, 1970 & 1971)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a Rightfielder (1966, 1969 & 1970)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Rightfielder (1966, 1967, 1969 & 1970)
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